The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1887-06-02
SOUTHERN EDUCATION.
THE PROGRESS OF OUR PEOPLE IN
THIS ALL-IMPORTANT MATT ER.

THIS ALL-IMPonTANT MATT ER.
A Careful Review of tho Condition of
Schools as Learned by Interviews with
Lending People in this Section.
From the Baltimore Sum-
The Rev. William j.. Slocum, of the
First Congregational Church, returned
on Saturday night from an extended trip
of several weeks duration into tho
Southern States, where no was engaged
in investigating the conditions OF oduca-
ton, particularly colored schools
Among the places visited were Charles
ton, Savannah, Jacksonville, Fla, New
Orleans, Jackson, Miss, and Talladega,
Ala. Besides visiting the public schools
from lowest to highest grade, and the
various colleges, an interview was had
with the Governor of Mississippi, various
city authorities, State education COM
missioners and others. MIR. Slocum
said: 'T found everywhere strong feel
ing that the colored people must be ed
ucated. The New South has no doubts
on this question. In most cases primary
education of colored people isconducted
by the State, Georgia and Mississippi
particularly granting large sums; but
higher instruction in the ordinary Eng.
lish branches is usually afforded by the
church schools supported by .philGn-
thropic contributions. The work of
these schools is of greatest importance
for training colored teachers of high
character. 1t is striking fact that re-
igion, as taught by the ordinary colored
preacher in the South, is not elevating
the moral tone of tho colored race. OF
course there are striking exceptions, but
the improved moral tone of the race
comes through the training in these
higher church schools and colleges. 1
found prevailing sentiment everywhere
that industrial education must be push
ed. This amounts to q decided move
ment and some of the colleges do first
rate work. Another striking fact that
shows improved moral conditions is that
the color line is growing more distinct;
that Is, there are more black children
and fewer mulattoes, which indicates Il
healthier separation of whites and blacks.
No one who has not stood face to face
with the tremendous problem in the
South can rightly appreciate its many
difficulties, and yet thore arc elements Of
hope, strong hope, and the outlook is
not wholly discouraging.
"In Charleston the Morris street
school is the best for colored children,
and contains about 1900 pupils Its
principal, Mr.. A. Doty, an elegant
Southern gentleman, was m officer in
the South Carolina army. 1t is sig
nificant fact that it was he who loaded
the first gun that fired upon the ship
advancing to the aid of Fort Sumter in
1861 The school is prevailed with the
spirit of military discipline, and the
utmost neatness of dress is required.
There are "a teachers, but only primary
branches are taught.
"In Savannah colored teachers arc
employed in the colored schools, ns is
usually the case throughout the South
except in Charleston. Here, as every
where else, the sentiment thai the colorcd
people must be educated prevails.
"In Florida not so much has been
done as elsewhere. The colored popula-
tion is not so great there as in some Of
ppie other States. 1t is significant that
,JShe new college for whites, the Winter
Park College, at Winter Park, Fla,
though only two years old, has taken u
very high stand among Southern educa-
tional institutions.
"In New Orleans the educational
movement for both races is strong, and
it is spreading into the counties of the
State in an excellent system Of county
free schools. The Straight University,
in New Orleans, is the best institution
for the training of colored students in
the more advanced branches. 1t has 500
in attendance, and supplies numerous
teachers to the country schools through
out the South. Eighty per cent. of the
graduates become teachers. The univer-
gity has white teachers, and Includes q
law and theological department. Its
funds come largely from the American
Missionary Association, and it is doing
work OF great value. Some of the me-
groes about Now Orleans arc becoming
quite wealthy as plantation owners, and
one owns large interest in one of the
railroads that runs into the city.
"Mississippi appropriates 81 1,000,O
annually for educational purposes, and
the amount is divided per capita among
the white and the black schools. Tho
Governor of the State is man of ad-
mirable shrewdness, who believes thor
depends upon the education of the col
oItu pCoPlC' Ho lCCl very hlEtly W.
ward the colored people,, said the Gov
ernor, and added rather significantly, i
believe that the capacities of the colored d
race have been underrated.' The best
school for the education of colored stu
dents in Mississippi is at Tougaloo. hear
Jackson. 1t is upon large plantation
OF 500 acres, has 200 students, and is
upon the industrial plan. 1t has the
active support of the State, from which
it receives So, 600 year. All of the
boys work on the farm for one hour each
day, which has two valuable results
First, it teaches them how to care for
stock, NO., and second, how to improve
wornout lands, q necessary process in
the agricultural developments of the
South. Blacksmithing, carpentry and
timing are taught. A student, if he
chooses, may become q regular appren.
tice. A most interesting experiment. is
being tried by the president of the col
lege at Tougaloo. He purchased o tract
n00 nnrae e IoSo1 ;ol, L. :